Our Spring “Pub of the Season” is the venerable Axe & Cleaver in Dunham Massey. Famous as a food-led pub in Greene King's “Chef & Brewer” estate, it has been dispensing fine ale since the early part of the 19th century. The exact date of opening is not known but it is thought to have been first licensed under one of the Beerhouse Acts of either 1830 or 1840. The pub still has on display a photo of the original building which certainly suggests the late Georgian era.

Today the pub is run by manager Neil and assistant manager Talia, along with Paul (cellarman, beer selector and all-round ale guru), and a huge crew of cooks and waiting staff. The clientele ranges from walkers and visitors to the Dunham Massey estate to boat and narrowboat travellers on the nearby Bridgewater Canal, and of course, innumerable wakes and memorial functions in connection with Altrincham Crematorium (the record is four wakes in one day, at carefully staggered intervals).

But local people still drop in for a pint - it is still very much a Public House where you don't have to dine to have a drink. You may have to stand around the north end of the bar, or by the back entrance to the pub, to avoid being run over by energetic waitrons (to use a good South African word). Or you can take your pint out the gardens - a popular spot at sunset, with views out over farmers' fields.

The beers today are all from the Greene King range; sadly, the pub is no longer able to buy directly from the nearby Dunham Massey Brewery. Typical beers include Axe & Cleaver Bitter (thought to be brewed to the recipe for the old Hardy's & Hanson's Bitter), and Morland Original Bitter.

At the back of the pub there's a substantial but disused building, the old stables. Within living memory there was a function room here, and a bowling green behind it.
Please join us on Saturday 9th May, from 12 noon onwards, when Trafford & Hulme CAMRA will be presenting a well earned Pub of the Season certificate to the Axe & Cleaver.